042017 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

8 x April 20 - May 3,

8 x April 20 - May 3, 2017 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 “It is an honor to be able to serve in this capacity with my fellow chiefs as we continue to work to make our communities and Central Florida a safer place to live, work and visit,” Chief Ogden said. The Windermere Town Council recently recognized outgoing council member Molly Rose. Mayor Gary Bruhn presented her with a plaque that read, “In recognition of your leadership and dedication to the Town of Windermere from March 2009 through March 2017.” Mayor Bruhn also reflected on the many changes and events that occurred during Molly’s eight years as a council member. n Et Al Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips hosted Christina Burns as a special guest at a recent meeting. Christina is an advocate and keynote speaker who promotes the full inclusion of part of society for people who, like her, are born with developmental disabilities, exemplifying the true meaning of not being disabled but being “differently-able” instead. During her presentation, she shared her academic journey to gaining her dream job at SeaWorld Orlando. Christina is now a full-time employee at the Voyager Smokehouse Restaurant. She loves and values her position and has become an invaluable employee. She also was a keynote speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in Orlando, where she (L. to r.) Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Windermere Town Council members John Armstrong, Molly Rose, Robert McKinley, Jim O’Brien and Allen Pichon celebrate Molly’s eight years of service to the council. Christina Burns (second from left) speaks at a Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips meeting. She is joined by her parents, (l. to r.) Jim and Sonja Burns, and Rotarian Michael Hanley. Jim Burns is the vice president and managing director of Grande Lakes Resorts. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 FREE 2017 Home Evaluation 407-347-3800 Home values are going up. You may be pleasantly surprised! Orlando - Dr. Phillips - Windermere - Winter Garden 1301 Marble Crest - Sought-after Rutenberg floor plan! Tile roof, golf-front home, 4 bed/4 full baths + office/den, huge bonus room. Granite countertops, pool/spa! California closets, extra storage, Jacuzzi tub, hardwood floors, tinted windows, intercom, pro-sealed epoxy, 3-car garage, landscape & pool lights, salt pool system, solar & electric heater, multispeed pump, security cameras! Listed $477,000 Robert & Paula 1402 Portmoor Way - Prepare to be impressed ... golf-front home behind the guarded gates of sought-after Stoneybrook West! Vaulted ceilings, diamond-cut porcelain flooring & arches set the stage for this exquisite single-story home. Bright open kitchen, featuring granite countertops, tile backsplash, large family room, master bath features his/her vanity, soak tub and separate shower stall. Split floor plan with front two bedrooms sharing full bath with granite vanity. Listed $254,000 8216 Tivoli Drive - Luxury Dr. Phillips lakefront townhome in guard-gated Vizcaya community! Listed $499,000 9720 Vista Falls Drive - Located in Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort, THE GOLD LUXURY HOME is the ultimate in sophistication. Listed $3,800,000 Stoneybrook Lake Front - Coming soon. Call for details! 34645 BUCKINGHAM - Custom-built home on ½ acre. Listed $260,000

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x April 20 - May 3, 2017 x 9 Planning For The Unexpected Do Your Estate Planning Now by: Kristen M. Jackson / Attorney On June 12, 2016 when the Orlando nightclub, Pulse, was assaulted and 49 people were killed, we were all once again forced to face our own mortality as loved ones and friend’s lives were lost due to this unexpected terrorist attack. We are reminded of another catastrophic day on September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The aftermath left 2,996 people dead and more than 6,000 others injured. The death toll was 2,606 in the World Trade Center and surrounding areas, 125 at the Pentagon, and 265 on the four planes involved in the attack of which there were no survivors. Whether you are watching the television news, listening to radio, chatting on Facebook with friends, or performing a Google search, it seems that Americans are inundated with what seems like alerts about one catastrophic disaster or tragedy after another. No doubt that we live in a time of constant worry and threat to our families. And if it isn’t terrorism we are concerned about, it’s the loss of life caused by disease and other medical complications, or by frequent airline, railroad and traffic accidents, or by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados and floods. Following the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub, many family members of the victims were forced to hire estate lawyers to assist them in acquiring the possessions and assets of those who died. Many Pulse nightclub victims were young and had no will or other forms of estate planning. All too often it takes a tragedy before we recognize the importance of preparing estate planning in our own lives. People in general are spending more time thinking about what would happen to their families if disaster strikes. Once predominantly the concern of the elder generation, Wills and Trusts are now on the minds of so many concerned with who will receive their life’s savings, family heirlooms and custody of their children. They want to leave nothing to chance anymore. Without proper planning, your assets may be subject to probate (and estate taxes) at your death. Probate is the legal process for the payment of debts and distribution of property according to a Will, or by state law if you have no Will. The Court appoints someone to handle your affairs and the process may take up to a year and for complex estates even longer. These proceedings are open to the public for review. Furthermore, a separate probate must be filed in every state where you own property. Probate could cost your family thousands of dollars which depletes the estate assets. These results can be mostly avoided with the implementation of a Living Trust and proper titling of your assets. A well thought out and properly drafted estate plan is one of the most compassionate things you can provide for your family. If you die unexpectedly, it can protect them from financial ruin. It can reduce discord among relatives concerned over who will inherit your assets and ensure your children are raised by people you trust. Although most Americans today accept that daily catastrophic, disastrous and tragic events are the new norm in their lives, don’t wait for such an event to compel you to prepare your estate planning. Be sure to hire an experienced estate planning attorney that will provide you with the secure feeling that when planning for the unexpected you have done everything possible to protect your financial interests and your family’s future. Legal Areas of Practice By our Team of Attorneys Administrative Advance Directives Bankruptcy Business Buy / Sell Contracts Commercial Contracts Corporation Criminal Employment Estate Planning Family Law Guardianship Litigation Last Wills Medicaid Powers Of Attorney Pre-Nuptials Probate Real Estate Special Needs Title & Closings Trusts Trademark Estate Planning Wills, Trusts, Probate, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Pre-Need Guardians, Trust Administration, Pet (Animal) Trusts Probate With or without a Last Will, in order to obtain assets, pay debts and taxes and distribute remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries, the deceased’s estate requires the assistance of an attorney to manage the court supervised administration. Corporation & Business Law Contracts, Start-ups, Purchase or Sales, Corporations (Inc.), Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s), Trademarks, Copyrights, Franchise Agreements Real Estate Closings, Title Insurance, Sales & Purchases, Leases, Contract Review, Contract Preparation (407)363-9020 www.JacksonLawPA.com Offices: Orlando Credit Cards Accepted Kristen Jackson Attorney At Law